South Sudan Shines with 2-0 Victory Over Kenya in CHAN Qualifiers

By Denilson Denike

In a thrilling encounter at the newly renovated Juba National Stadium, South Sudan’s national football team showcased their talent and determination, overpowering Kenya 2-0 in the first leg of the 2025 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers on Sunday afternoon. This crucial win marks a much-awaited return to form for South Sudan’s squad, demonstrating their home advantage in Juba.

The Bright Stars clinched the match with goals from Jamus FC’s duo, Ezbon and Yahana Paulino. Their efforts not only secured maximum points for South Sudan but also ended a prolonged dry spell for the national team, which had not recorded a competitive victory since September 2022.

The match drew notable attention as South Sudan’s coach Nicholas Dupuis celebrated his first victory in a major tournament since taking the helm last year, where he experienced a disheartening run of six defeats and four draws. The triumph at home brought hope back to the team and its fans, despite the stadium’s empty seats, reflecting a growing disillusionment among supporters due to the team’s previous performances.

Kenya, already guaranteed qualification for the CHAN as one of the tournament’s three host nations, approached the match with a more relaxed attitude. Head coach Engin Firat expressed frustration over the circumstances, stating that his players lacked the urgency to secure a victory knowing they would participate in the tournament regardless of the qualifiers’ outcomes.

South Sudan’s journey in the qualifiers will continue with a rematch against Kenya in Kampala on November 3, where the team aims to build on this significant victory. Coach Dupuis acknowledged the need for consistency as he aimed to bring joy to the fans after a year of struggle.

“This victory shows that our local players can compete at this level, and we are focused on enhancing their performance despite the challenges we face with a lack of a competitive league in our country,” Dupuis remarked after the match.

Elsewhere in the qualifiers, Djibouti managed to edge past Rwanda with a narrow 1-0 victory, while Sudan secured a 1-0 win over Tanzania, thanks to a goal from Mohammed Abdul Rahman in the 23rd minute.

As South Sudan celebrates this pivotal moment, hopes for continued improvement and further successes remain high among the players and coaching staff.